San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-01-14
THE WIFE'S SECRET.

gentlemen began to drop IN. Then
dancing, forfeits, and Irritation COM
menced, and were carried on gaily until
eleven, tn supper-hOur.
That supper was serious business.
With the energies of three ladies GEN.
tired upon it for whole week, it was
always a success. Dancing was con-
tinued until late, or rather an early
hour. The festivitity came only once .
year, Mrs. Sewell said, and people might
Just as well enjoy themselves as not.
In less than three minutes after Doc
tor Brent had knocked, he and his
friend found themselves in the midst Of
o scene of gaiety and merriment.
A polka had Just begun; and they sat
down quietly, waiting until it should be
over. Mrs. Sewell overwhelmed the
Captain with attentions. She introduce
ed him to every one who was not dane
ing, she talked. flattered, questioned,
and advised until she was QUITO breath;
then she left him to watch the dancers,
"Do you see any pretty girlS?" said
Doctor Brent, in a low voice, to Cap
tain Ruthven.
Eyes" plenty, but not one that suits
my peculiar tastes" was the reply.
you have not seen May Brooke yet;
she seldom comes until late. Wait un-
I'll you nave seen ner."
Just then the dance ceased, and q
young lady, new arrival. entered the
room. There was an immediate rush
towards her, and it was some minutes
before Captain Ruthven could see her
face.
THAT is May Brooke" said Doctor
Brent. "See how they surround her!
No party ever goes off well until she
comes"
Presently the crowd broke up, and
Captain Ruthven saw face that ne
never afterwards forgot. 1t was fair
and sweet and charming but it was not
Grecian face; it was an English one,
with the tints Of rose-leaf. Perhaps
the mouth was too large to be strictly
symmetrical, but the sweet sensitive
lips were faultless in color and shape.
The blue eyes were clear and innocent
as the eyes of little child. Rich brown
waving hair fell upon the white polish
ed shoulders. Captain Ruthven had
travelled much, he had seen the most
beautiful women of London and Paris,
but he had never seen anything so sweet,
so modest and graceful as this young
girl.
Her eyes fell timidly when he was in
troduced TO her. There was nothing Of
bllC III hdy DlOOhC, uuO, III
with others, she had heard 80 much OF
the young officer that she was anxious
to see him.
No thought of winning the priZe"
troubled her calm simple mind. To her
he was great hero, something quite out
of her line, to be admired for bis
bravery. Farther than that her thoughts
did not travel.
AS she stood talking with quiet grace
to Doctor Brent, Captain Ruthven look
ed earnestly at her. He liked the tall,
slender, girlish figure, the soft low
voice, the musical laugh, the pretty
graceful action. He liked the simple
braiding of the wonderful hair, with
the little white wreath that crowned it.
1.-The incest girl in the room, " thought
the Captain. II shall amuse myself
with her; there are intellect and spirit
can Frank be sayingp"
Like brave Young officer as he was,
Captain Ruthven resolved to do his duty
first. and take his pleasure afterwards.
81 must dance with those big Misses
Sewell," he said to himself, land then l
can talk to May Brooke"
So the big Misses Swell were made
quite happy. The Captain was good
dancer, and he did not forget to utter
the ''sweet praises that ladies love"
The girls were delighted with him, and
talked about him cOnfidentially all the
rest of the evening to the other young
ladies.
Now for Miss Brooke" said the
Captain, and he had no sooner asked
her to promise him the next polka than
there was cry of 'Forfeitsl" and he
sat down by her side to watch the game.
But it was not likely that so popular
hperson as Captain Ruthven would be
allowed to sit by and take no part in
what was going on. A large number Of
forfeits had been collected, and amongst
them was one from himself, but none
from May Brooke.
Miss Sewell declared that he should cry
them. Down upon his knees went the
Captain, patiently submitting to have
his eyes blindfolded, 1t was many years
since he had played at forfeits, and he
felt something of his lost youth steal
over him when he was asked to declare
to whom "this pretty article" belonged
and what should be done by the person
who owned it. He invented the most
novel punishments; the whole room was
In an uproar of laughter. He noticed a
sudden silence as Miss Sewell, holding
something above his head, asked what
the owner was to do in order to re-
deem it.
Let him kneel to the prettiest, bow
to the wittiest, and kiss the one he loves
best" said the Captain, returning to the
old formula.